Job Description

DescriptionFIELD SCIENTIST - INSECTICIDE AND NEMATICIDE PORTFOLIO, SOUTH AFRICACorteva Agriscience has an exciting opportunity for a Field Scientist (FS) in its Biology Research department (Field Science in Crop Protection Discovery and Development (CPD&D)).Purpose: Plan, implement and monitors trials to characterize the field performance of crop protection insecticide and nematicide products in line with technical objectives and pertinent company stewardship guidelines. Summarizes data at local and across countries level and contributes to local, regional and global field data summaries for Crop Protection products. Compiles biological efficacy dossiers to obtain registration or approval for label claims. Provides local knowledge on crop management practices and convey technical knowledge transfer to commercial organization and customers as required. Supports product launches as part of a cross-functional team in the country or Commercial Unit.Key responsibilities:

• Accountable for flawless field trial execution for contracted and internal efficacy trails, selectivity and resistance monitoring trials, selecting sites based on technical objectives, understanding and writing of protocols, forecasting sample needs and organizing local shipments of test items. Accountable for exact planting, applications and evaluations as well reliable upload of data to pertinent data bases as per research cycle. Management of contracted tasks with contract research organizations (CRO's) including planning of trials, organizing protocol review meetings, making agreements, following payments and ensuring successful data collection and systems uploads.
• Organizes field tours and selecting appropriate and conclusive trials to support decision making in a regional/global trial program.
• Summarize trial data using company systems including data from other field scientists and provide key observations and recommendations on product performance to the Program Leader in FS and cross functional product development teams.
• Responsible of preparing biology assessment dossiers (BADs) to obtain approval for label claims; follow up and take necessary action to get positive Ministry of Agriculture audit/approval reports.
• Prepare technical part of new product label in accordance with official trial reports and company's internal label procedure.
• Assists in strategy of local data generation for pipeline and current portfolio to ensure optimal technical value propositions for final products and cost-efficient trial plans.
• Serves as R&D expert and technical focal point for specific products and crops in the assigned territory.
• Measures and documents field performance, understands resistance issues, and identifies trends and issues relative to current and emerging competition in the assigned territory. Proposes technical positioning to the Local Product Concept Teams and Portfolio Teams based on local needs and requirements in the assigned territory.
• Represents Corteva at relevant academic and government institutes, and in local and international industry associations such as CropLife, IRAC/HRAC/FRAC in the assigned territory and documents emerging trends and technology related to agriculture, including presentation of papers at scientific conferences.
• Serves as ad-hoc advisor to local teams for creation of new ideas, label extensions and new regional product concepts and growth initiatives.
• Serves as local source of knowledge for new technological trends like digitalization of agriculture.
• Provides input on the critical assessment and prioritization of technical needs and activities essential to the implementation of business strategy.
• Focal point for local country/CU and R&D functions pertaining to technical issues/queries related to the assigned products.

#LI-SD1QualificationsRequirements:

• University degree - BSc. in a field of agriculture. A degree in the field of entomology is preferred.
• MSc or PhD is preferred.
• Good comprehension both vocal and written, of English as well as another local language is essential.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in crop protection industry.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in field agricultural - research capacity is preferred.
• Skilled in multi years planning of activities.
• Ability to work individually and as a team.
• Familiar with Ministry of Agriculture regulations for field research activities for CP and/or Biological product registration.
• Leadership, initiative and proactivity, versatile individual who can solve practical problems in sometimes remote locations and is committed to a strong safety and stewardship culture.
• Broad scientific and agronomic background with strong culture of field research in crop protection and/or biological products.
• Ability to interact with growers and to give clear directions to contractors.
• Good management of Microsoft Office package. ARM knowledge and experience is beneficial.
• Availability to travel nationally and internationally as per requirements of the role.
• Valid driving license.

Location: to be defined.

Corteva